Magic On The Mountain Makes Season Merry

Payson, although a small town, has always guaranteed numerous celebrations of Christmas and 2008 is no exception.

A program inclusive of the larger events entitled “Magic on the Mountain” has been in operation for more than a month and still has events scheduled from now to Christmas Day.

In a town of more than 29 churches, this is obviously a community that puts great emphasis on Christmas.

Nearly every church has special Christmas services.

Among the church programs are: the Children’s Christmas Music Program at 5 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at the First Church of the Nazarene; The Three Trees children’s play at 6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 14 at Mountain Bible Church; and a Christmas Cantata at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Dec. 21 at Payson United Methodist Church.

All of these services are in addition to the many holiday events around town, such as the upcoming Payson Choral Society’s Christmas concerts at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at the Payson High School auditorium; Santa’s Workshop from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 13 at Green Valley Park; and a boat lighting event at Green Valley Lake, also on Dec. 13, beginning at dark.

APS again this year is sponsoring the Holiday Lighting Contest with prizes ranging from $100 to $500.

The lighting contest is also sponsored by the Town of Star Valley, the Rim Country Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Payson Roundup and the Rim Country Gazette.

On Dec. 19 the entries and winners will be announced so you can drive around and view these beautiful displays.

Past events

Other Magic on the Mountain events included the Payson Ministerial Fellowship Christmas pageant, held Dec. 7 at which an estimated two tons of canned and nonperishable food was contributed by the audience for area food banks; the Main Street Electric Light Parade, which took place Dec. 6; the Swiss Village Lighting event on Nov. 28; and the placement of dramatic holiday lighting by the town, not only on the main highways, but all around Green Valley Park. Even the Zane Grey Cabin is ablaze with lights.